The United Opposition leaders have accused President William Ruto of planting moles within their ranks while maintaining that their political formation remains intact and focused on the 2027 general election.

The leaders, in an interview on a local radio station and a rally at Tononoka Grounds on Saturday, April 25, 2026, accused the Head of State of working to weaken opposition structures and fragment emerging alliances ahead of the next electoral cycle.

“We have seen the president working around the clock to divide his opponents to his advantage, but we are warning him to prepare for a duel in August next year,” Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka said.

The leaders further criticised the leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), saying internal shifts and ongoing talks with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) are exposing the party to external influence.

They argued that ODM’s traditional strongholds risk political realignment if current negotiations continue unchecked.

“President Ruto is determined to obliterate any member of ODM, and I can tell you I understand the mind of our late brother Odinga. It is very unfortunate that some sections of that party have agreed to be completely decimated, but the opposition is coming stronger than ever,” Kalonzo said.

The opposition team, which conducted rallies across Mombasa, framed their coastal tour as part of a broader mobilisation strategy aimed at strengthening grassroots support. They said the 2027 contest will require disciplined coalitions capable of countering the ruling party’s nationwide reach.

On his part, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed the Head of State lacks strong backing in the Mt Kenya region and is therefore attempting to penetrate opposition bases in other parts of the country, including ODM strongholds.

He argued that recent presidential tours were politically driven efforts to consolidate influence ahead of the election.

He also accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of using development projects as campaign tools, saying some initiatives are launched without proper budgeting, raising concerns about fiscal discipline and national planning.

“Launching projects that are not budgeted for is an insult to the people of Kenya. Yesterday he went to Murang’a, and by the time he arrived in Nairobi, the tractors had already left, and that is his modus operandi,” Gachagua stated.

Further, the honchos called for clarity on the circumstances surrounding the death of Raila Odinga in October 2025, demanding an independent public inquest to address unanswered questions and restore public confidence.

“There is no day the people of the Coast have been left behind, not before and not now. We are going to walk with you to the end until we get there,” DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa said.

Moreover, Nyali MP Mohammed Ali, presented as Wiper’s Mombasa gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 elections, reported disruptions during the coastal tour, including road closures that complicated access to rally venues.

IEBC’s 2027 concerns

Meanwhile, former Attorney General Justin Muturi warned of a looming electoral crisis linked to delays in election technology procurement, cautioning that the expiry of the Smartmatic contract could destabilise electoral preparations.

He said failure to replace or renew the system could affect by-elections and national preparedness, urging the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to act swiftly to avoid legal and operational uncertainty.

“We cannot gamble with democracy. We cannot normalise last-minute crisis management in matters of such national importance. The IEBC must act, and it must act now,” Muturi said.

 With about 15 months to the 2027 General Election, both the ruling coalition and opposition blocs are intensifying mobilisation, setting the stage for a highly competitive political contest.